Antiserum to angiotensin-binding protein inhibits vascular responses to angiotensin II

This study characterizes inhibitory properties of an antiserum to an angiotensin-binding protein on vascular responses to angiotensin II. The antiserum was collected from guinea pigs that had been immunized with an angiotensin-binding protein that was isolated from a particulate fraction of rabbit liver. The bioassay system consisted of helically cut strips of rabbit renal artery suspended in organ chambers for measurement of isometric force development. After treatment with the antiserum (1:1,000-1:50 dilution), contractile responses to angiotensin II (10(-8) M) were reduced compared with those measured after treatment with nonimmune serum. At a dilution of 1:50, the magnitude of contractile responses to angiotensin II were approximately 40% of control values. This inhibitory action of the antiserum was similar to that induced by the angiotensin II antagonist, saralasin. Contractile responses to norepinephrine (5.9 x 10(-8) M) were not altered after incubation with the antiserum. These results indicate that the binding protein in hepatic cells may be similar in some respects to the membrane receptor mediating contractions to angiotensin II in rabbit renal arteries.